Hon. Minister of Health

Hon. Minister of State for Health

DHIS2 Nigeria

FMOH Agencies

NCH Approves Strategies Against Disease Outbreak

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Written by Oluwafemi Olowookere

The National Council on Health, the highest decision making body in the health sector has approved strategies to tackle disease outbreaks in Nigeria. The Council approved the establishment of Infection Prevention Committees (IPCs), Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) and Isolation centers in all states of the federation and FCT.

This was contained in a communique issued at the end of the Emergency National Council on Health’s meeting held on Monday 5th February, 2018 in Abuja.

The meeting was organized by the Federal Ministry of Health. Public Health issues bordering on diseases such as Lassa fever, Measles, Monkey Pox, Polio, among others, were discussed.

The Emergency Operation Centers (EOC) would be responsible for carrying outemergency preparedness and emergency management, or disaster management functions at a strategic level during an emergency.

The Council urged all states to adopt multi—sectorial approach to disease outbreaks. States should also strengthen community response through enlightenment campaign and community involvement.

The Council called on all State Health Commissioners to update their respective Governors and the Federal Ministry of Health on current health situations in their states.

The Communiqué also indicated that all states should partner with federal government and if possible provide support such as laboratory facilities in the federal government hospitals.

The Council noted that all state tertiary health institutions should be able to manage Lassa fever patients, adding that states should prioritize public health challenges and build on appropriate partnership.

The Council also called on Borno, Kano and Kebbi states to collaborate with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to prepare for measles, Cholera, Yellow fever and Cerebrospinal Meningitis outbreak in 2018.

“All states that have made no payment or part payment, should pay-up their counter-part funding for Measles” the Council added.

The Council further approved conduct of research on disease outbreaks especially in relation to modes of transmission e.g. Monkey Pox, Lassa fever amongst others.